Modular container

ABSTRACT

A modular container is provided comprising a base module, an upper module and optionally, one or more internal modules. The base module comprises a closed bottom portion and an open top portion which incorporates means to removably attach another module. Internal modules comprise open top and bottom portions, each of which comprise means to removably attach to another module. The upper module comprises an open bottom portion comprising means to removably attach to another module and a top portion comprising means to access the contents of the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of PCT/CA2011/001342 filed on Dec. 9,2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/421,686 filed on Dec. 10, 2010, the contents of each of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers, and moreparticularly, to modular containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of cups, mugs, bottles, and other food and/or beveragecontaining systems exist, including standard drinking cups, waterbottles, coffee mugs, travel mugs, sports bottles, thermal containers,etc. Despite the existence of a variety of different containers, thereis a need for containers that can be customized to suit the user's need,e.g. to fit into a particular mug holder such as the mug holder of aparticular vehicle and to suit a user's preference in terms of function,design and aesthetics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A novel multi-purpose containing system has now been developed which ismodular in nature and permits a user to design a unique product thatsuits particular needs and desires.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, a modular container is providedcomprising: a base module and an upper module, wherein said base modulecomprises a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the topportion of the base module comprising means to removably attach anothermodule, and said upper module comprising an open bottom portioncomprising means to removably attach to another module and a top portioncomprising means to access the contents of the container.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of making a modularcontainer is provided comprising the steps of:

-   -   i) providing a base module, an upper module and optionally one        or more internal modules, wherein said base module comprises a        closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the top portion        of the base module comprising attachment means to removably        attach the base module to another module, said upper module        comprising an open bottom portion comprising attachment means to        removably attach to another module and a top portion comprising        means to access the contents of the container, and said internal        module comprising open top and bottom portions each of which        comprise means to removably attach to another module;    -   ii) optionally connecting the base module to one or more        internal modules by connecting the attachment means of the top        portion of the base module to the attachment means of the bottom        portion of the internal module, and connecting the attachment        means of the top portion of the internal module to the        attachment means of the bottom portion of any subsequent        internal modules; and    -   iii) connecting the attachment means of the top portion of the        base module or internal module to the attachment means of the        bottom portion of the upper module.

In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture comprisingpackaging and one or more modules of a modular container selected fromthe group consisting of a base module, at least one internal module andan upper module, wherein said base module comprises a closed bottomportion and an open top portion, the top portion of the base modulecomprising means to removably attach an internal module, said internalmodule comprising open top and bottom portions each of which comprisemeans to removably attach to another module, and said upper modulecomprising an open bottom portion comprising means to removably attachto another module and a top portion comprising means to access thecontents of the container, and wherein the packaging indicates that themodule is useful to form a modular container.

In a further aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture isprovided comprising packaging and one or more overlay rings adapted tofit onto a container, wherein said overlay rings comprise at least oneof colour, texture, design, text, symbols and images and said packagingindicates that the overlay rings are for fitting around an container.

These and other aspects of the invention are described in detail byreference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view (A) and a side view (B) of amodular container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates perspective and side views of base modules (A, B, C,D) for use in the modular container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates perspective and side views of internal modules (A, B)for use in the modular container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates perspective and side views of adaptor modules (A, B)for use in the modular container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates perspective and side views of upper modules andaccessories (A, B, C, D) for use in the modular container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates radial/axial seals (A), plug and gasket seals (B) anda crab claw seal (C);

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an insert (A) for use in a modularcontainer, and a side view of an insert in a modular container (B);

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of an insert in use with a pedestal (A)within a modular container (B) and in use with multiple pedestals (C);

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of various embodiments of amodular container (A, B, C, D);

FIG. 10 illustrates a module overlay ring on a module of a modularcontainer;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective and sectional view of a non-modularcontainer with overlay rings (A) and perspective and sectional view of amodule with multiple overlay rings side-by-side (stacked) (B);

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of multiple-layered module overlay ringsand their use to generate a cut-out design;

FIG. 13 is a side section view of multiple-layered overlay rings;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two overlay rings that generate adesign (A) on modules which form a container (B);

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of adjacent overlay rings illustrating aface (A/B) that are rotated (C) or flipped (D) to change the face, aswell as overlay rings for use to play a game (E/F).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A modular container is provided. The modular container comprises a basemodule and an upper module. The base module comprises a closed bottomportion and an open top portion that includes means to removably attachthe base module to another module. The upper module comprises an openbottom portion that includes means to removably attach to another moduleand a top portion comprising means to access the contents of thecontainer. The container may optionally contain one or more internalmodules. Internal modules comprise open top and bottom portions each ofwhich comprise means to removably attach to another module.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a modular container 10 is shown including abase module 12, internal modules 14 and an upper module 16. The modulesof the container 10 are removably connected to one another as will bedescribed in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the base module 12 comprises a closed bottom portion20 and an open top portion 22. The term “closed” is used herein to referto a bottom portion that is covered and does not permit access to theinternal portion of the base module 12. The bottom portion 20 may or maynot be sealed, and thus, it may or may not be able to retain contents,e.g. liquids, without leakage. The term “open” as it relates to the topportion 22 of the base module 12 indicates that the top portion 22 isuncovered and permits access to the internal portion of the base module12. The top portion 22 comprises attachment means 28 adapted toremovably attach the base module 12 to another module. Between the topand bottom portions of the base module 12, is the body 24 of the basemodule 12. The body 24 of the base module 12 may assume various shapesand sizes (e.g. height and width) to provide a base module 12 that isrounded (FIG. 2A), flat (FIG. 2B), flanged (FIG. 2C), tapered (FIG. 2D)or that assumes other suitable shapes.

The internal module 14 comprises open top 32 and bottom 30 portions,each of which comprise attachment means 38 a, 38 b, adapted to removablyattach to another module as shown in FIG. 3. The internal module 14 alsocomprises a body portion 34 which, as with the base module 12, may varyin shape and size.

The internal module 14 may be in the form of an adapter module 18 asshown in FIG. 4, that is useful to connect together modules of differentsizes and shapes to form a modular container in accordance with theinvention. An adapter module 18 comprises an open bottom portion 50 andan open top portion 52, each of which comprise attachment means 58 a, 58b adapted to removably attach to another module and a body portion 54.An adapter module 18 essentially corresponds with an internal moduleexcept that the top and bottom portions 52, 50 of the adapter module 18will generally vary in size or shape from one another. Thus, an adaptormodule 18 may be used to connect a base module 12 with an open portion22 of a cross-sectional size to an internal module 14 or upper module 16having a bottom portion 30, 50 which is either larger (FIG. 4B) orsmaller (FIG. 4A) in cross-section than the open portion of the basemodule.

The upper module 16 comprises an open bottom portion 40 that includesattachment means 48 a adapted to removably attach to the attachmentmeans 28 of the top portion 22 of a base module 12 or the attachmentmeans 38 a of a top portion 32 of an internal module. The upper module16 also comprises a top portion 42 which permits access to the contentsof the container. In one embodiment, the top portion 42 is open as shownin FIG. 5A comprising an edge 43 that may vary with utility. Forexample, if the upper module 16 is for a drinking cup, its edge 43 willbe suitable for this utility, e.g. rounded and smooth for the comfort ofthe user. On the other hand, if the upper module 16 is for pouring, theedge 43 will be appropriately formed to include a spout-like shape, andif the upper module 16 is to be used on a decorative container, the edge43 may be formed to assume decorative features. In another embodiment,the top portion 42 may include attachment means 48 b, as shown in FIG.5B, for attachment to a lid or other covering (e.g. a child's sippingcup lid) 45 via corresponding attachment means 46 on the lid 45. As oneof skill in the art will appreciate, lid 45 may vary is size and shapeand is not restricted in this regard. In a further embodiment, the topportion 42 of the upper module 16 may be closed, or may incorporate anopening 47, such as but not limited to that shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D,that may be covered by a cover piece 49 that may, for example, slide,rotate, snap or twist into position over the opening 47, or which may beattached to the upper module via a flexible arm or other means thatpermits attachment thereof to the opening 47 to render the top portion42 closed or detachment to open the top portion 42. The opening 47 mayincorporate means to access the contents of the container 53, such as astraw or the like, that may extend into the container through theopening as shown in FIG. 5D and will permit access to the contents ofthe container, for example, consumption of the contents of thecontainer. The access means 53 may also extend outwardly from the lid 45(as shown), or may be flush with the surface of the lid 45. The accessmeans 53 may also include a cap 55 that seals the access means 53 toprevent leaking or spilling of the contents of the container.

Attachment means (28 a/b, 38 a/b, 46 and 48 a/) adapted to removablyattach one module to another, e.g. a base module 12 to an internal orupper module 14, 16, or an internal module 14 to an upper module 16, ora lid 45 to an upper module 16, are formed in the top portion 22 of thebase module 12, in the top and bottom portions 32, 30 of the internalmodule 14, in the bottom portion 40, and optionally in the top portion42, of the upper module 16 and may be formed in the lid 45. Theattachment means may comprise any means suitable to attach adjacentmodules together, and may be formed within the top or bottom portions ofa given module. Suitable attachment means include screw threads, aportion that is of a shape or size to permit a friction fit, and aportion adapted to snap together with another module which may includeco-operating flanges and the like. Alternatively, the attachment meansmay be a separate component from the module that is useful to attach twomodules together, e.g. mechanical fasteners.

Thus, to make a modular container in accordance with an aspect of theinvention, the base module 12 may optionally be connected to one or moreinternal modules by connecting the attachment means 28 of the topportion 22 of the base module 12 to the attachment means 38 of thebottom portion 30 of an internal module 14, and connecting theattachment means 38 of the top portion 32 of the internal module 14 tothe attachment means 38 of the bottom portion 30 of any subsequentinternal modules 14. Once all desired internal modules 14, including anyadaptor modules, are connected, the upper module 16 is connected to thecontainer 10. To connect the upper module 16, the attachment means 28 ofthe top portion 22 of the base module 12 or the attachment means 38 ofthe top portion 32 of the uppermost internal module 14, if present, isconnected to the attachment means 48 a of the bottom portion 40 of theupper module 16. If the container comprises a lid 45, the lid isconnected to the container by connecting the attachment means 46 of thelid 45 to the attachment means 48 b of the top portion 42 of the uppermodule 16.

The attachment between modules via attachment means (28 a/b, 38 a/b, 46,48 a/b) may or may not form a sealed attachment, and thus, attachedmodules may or may not be able to retain contents, e.g. fluids and/orliquids, without leakage. As one of skill in the art will appreciate,components such as o-rings, gaskets and gasket-like components may beutilized to provide a sealed attachment between modules and therebyprevent the leakage of contents within the modular container. As withthe attachment means themselves, sealing components may be formed in theattachment means, e.g. crab claw seal, plug seal, gasket seals,combination seals, or other seals, or may be independent structures usedwhen attaching modules as shown in FIG. 6. Radial 62 and axial 64 gasketseals are illustrated in FIG. 6A, plug seals 66 are illustrated in FIG.6B and crab claw seals 68 are illustrated in FIG. 6C.

The body 24, 34, 44 and 54, of each of the modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 mayvary in size, e.g. including height and width. In addition, the body 24,34, 44 and 54 of each module 12, 14, 16 and 18 may also vary in shape.Thus, the body 24, 34, 44 and 54 may, for example, be circular, oval,square or have an irregular shape, in cross-section. As one of skill inthe art will appreciate, the body of each module may be any shape thatdoes not impact on its function to form a container with other modules.In this regard, it is noted that different shaped modules may beconnected to form a unique modular container. FIG. 9 illustratesembodiments of modular containers in accordance with the invention.

The modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 of the modular container 10 may be madeusing well-established techniques, such as injection molding techniquesand other suitable techniques depending on the materials employed. Avariety of materials are suitable for use to make the modules including,but not limited to, plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PETE orPET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS,HIPS, or ABS), biodegradable plastics (including biodegradables),polycarbonates (PC), polyethylene (PE), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), melamineformaldehyde (MF) and polylactic acid (PLA); stainless steel, aluminumand other metals, wood, composite materials, and combinations of any ofthese materials.

The present modular container 10 may be provided with an insert 60 asillustrated in FIG. 7A which fits within the container 10. The insertmay function to provide a sealed container for use with food andbeverages. The insert may also function to provide an insulatedcontainer for use with hot or cold foods or beverages. Thus, the insertmay be made from stainless steel, glass, ceramics, plastics or otherappropriate material. It may also comprise within its walls a thermalcomponent to allow it to maintain a hot or cold temperature. The insertmay be inserted into a modular container 10 as shown in FIG. 7B andmaintained in position within the container by the upper module of thecontainer. For example, the insert 60 may include at its upper edge arim 62 or other means to engage with the upper module 16, between theupper module 16 and a lid 45, or between the upper module 16 and aninternal module 14 as shown in FIG. 7B. When the upper module isattached to the internal module, the rim 62 will be held in place bythis attachment. The insert 60 may also be held in position by friction.The insert will also provide for straightforward cleaning of thecontainer as the insert may be readily removed from the container topermit its cleaning

A pedestal 64 may be used with the insert 60 in a modular container inaccordance with the invention to add extra height to the insert 60, ifneeded, to fit within the container 10. As shown in FIG. 8A, thepedestal 64 comprises a base 67 with an upper wall 66 extending upwardlyfrom base 67 and a lower wall 68 extending downwardly from base 67. Thepedestal 64 is sized and shaped to removably fit onto the bottom of agiven insert 60. Thus, the base 67 of the pedestal corresponds to thebottom of the insert 60, and the upper wall 66 of the pedestal fits ontothe bottom of the insert 60. The upper wall of the pedestal is of aheight sufficient to support the insert 60 stably within the container10. Similarly, the height of the lower wall 68 is sufficient to providea stable base for the insert 60. In one embodiment, the height of thelower wall 68 of pedestal 64 will coincide with the height of themodules of the container such that the pedestal 64 raises the insert 60the height of a module. This will permit the top of the insert to lineup (approximately) with the top of the container 10. As shown in FIG.8B, a single pedestal 64 may be used to support an insert 60 within amodular container 10, or multiple pedestals may be stacked onto oneanother if the insert 60 requires added height to fit into a givencontainer 10.

In addition to the function of the modules 12, 14, 16 and 18 to connectto form a container 10, the modules may also incorporate a storagecompartment, e.g. for change, keys, and the like. For example, the basemodule 12 may include a compartment formed in the closed bottom portionthereof for storage of items.

Any of the base 12, internal or adapter 14, 18 or upper 16 modules mayinclude accessory items, as either an integrally formed part of themodule or an independently formed attachment. Such accessory items mayinclude handles, fastening means such as fastening rings for use tofasten the container to shoulder straps, purses, brief cases, coolers,etc., aesthetic accessories which form the cup into a desired shape(e.g. trophy, character, etc.) and the like.

An overlay ring accessory 70 as shown in FIG. 10 is also provided foruse with the present modular container, or any container. The overlayring 70 fits around the exterior of the container. The ring 70 may bemade of an expandible polymeric material or other materials noted abovefor making the modules of the container, rubber, a composite material,fabric, or a metal, stainless steel, etc. In the case of an expandiblematerial, the ring 70 may readily be put in place over a container, oron a module of a modular container and retained in place by elasticforces. With respect to a non-expandible ring, these may be readily usedwith modules of a modular container which may be adapted to receive andretain an overlay ring in place thereon. In one embodiment, a containeror module of a container may be formed with an indented body 72 and aprotruding lip or ledge 74 at the top and bottom edges of the body 72 toretain the ring 70 in place thereon. The overlay ring 70 may also bedesigned to fit onto a rail and groove system, ride on oversized sealbarriers or any other means to affix them to a container. The overlayrings 70 may be removably fixed in position on a container or may berotatable about a container or module thereof.

The ring 70 may be utilized to customize a container as desired by auser by simply adding, removing, changing, or modifying said ring at anygiven time. Thus, the overlay ring may provide colour, texture, design,text, symbols, images and the like to a given container. The features ofthe overlay ring 70 may be provided thereon by printing, etching,engraving, fusing, gluing, laser cutting and secondary moldingprocesses. The text, symbols, images and the like on the rings may besimply aesthetic in nature or may be used to label the container withits contents, with the name of the user or other text or images of theuser's choice. Overlay rings may be cut to display text or imagesthereby exposing the surface of the underlying module, and rendering theimage in the texture, colour, etc. of the module. Overlay rings may bestacked or layered on top of each other to have a base layer (70 a), amid layer (70 b) and an outer layer (70 c) as shown in FIG. 13, and maybe etched or cut to incorporate a design or text in the outer ring 70 cin the colour of the underneath rings 70 a and 70 b as shown in FIG. 12.Multiple rings may also be placed side-by-side on a non-modularcontainer (FIG. 11A) or on a single module as shown in FIG. 11B to yielda mug of different colours, patterns, with designs, text, etc. Thus,multiple overlay rings may be stacked and aligned on a module orcontainer. Such stacking or aligning may be used to createcommunications or images on the module or container as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of overlay rings used to communicateinformation by attaching, rotating, flipping and aligning on the modulesof the container. As an example, facial expressions created with overlayrings (A) may be aligned on the modules to make a face (B). Rotating thebottom overlay ring changes the mouth and the expression (C). The facialexpression may alternatively be altered by flipping the mouth overlayring (D). In another example, overlay rings are used to represent gamepieces (car images) and the playing surface (numbers 0 to 9) in a racinggame (E). Each car's position in the race is communicated by rotatingthe car overlays into a new position relative to the numbers overlay(F).

The overlay ring 70 may also provide a functional purpose such as grip,insulation and the like, depending on the material used to make thering.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, various modular containersmay be made utilizing different combinations of the modules as describedabove. FIG. 9 illustrates examples of modular containers in accordancewith the invention. The utility of the present modular container is notlimited and may be used to hold both perishable goods, such as foods,beverages and flowers, as well as non-perishable goods, such as officesupplies (pens, pencils, paper clips), household items (coins, tacs,nails, screws and miscellaneous items), and the like. Thus, the modulesdescribed herein may be attached to form cups, mugs, bottles, vases,storage containers and a variety of other useful containers.

The modular container advantageously provides a product that may beadapted to suit the user. Thus, the container may be transformed withrespect to size (length, width and height), shape, function and design,depending on the situation. The transformation is achieved by simplyreplacing one or more modules of the container with a module(s) thatprovides the required feature. The modules are designed to interconnectto provide the flexibility to alter the final container as desired.Thus, a user may accumulate the modules required to convert a modularcup in accordance with the invention to a modular mug, bottle orcontainer depending on the required function, or to convert alarge-based modular mug to a smaller-based modular mug, depending on themug holder with which it is to be used, or to convert an unidentifiablemodular container to an identifiable modular container. Thus, themodular container described herein is a unique dynamic product thatexceeds the utility of containers currently available in the market thatare generally static in nature.

We claim:
 1. A modular container comprising: a base module and an uppermodule, wherein said base module comprises a closed bottom portion andan open top portion, the top portion of the base module comprisingattachment means to removably attach the base module to the uppermodule, and said upper module comprising an open bottom portioncomprising attachment means to removably attach to another module and atop portion that comprises means to access the contents of thecontainer; and further comprising one or more overlay rings whichremovably attach around at least one of the modules of the container. 2.The container of claim 1, optionally comprising one or more internalmodules, said internal modules comprising open top and bottom portionseach of which comprise means to removably attach to another module,wherein said internal modules removably attaché to form the containerbetween the base module and the upper module.
 3. The container of claim2, wherein one of said internal modules is an adaptor module comprisinga top portion and bottom portion that differ in size or shape from oneanother.
 4. The container of claim 2, wherein the top portion of theupper module is open to permit access to the contents of the containercomprising an edge around its circumference.
 5. The container of claim2, wherein the top portion of the upper module is open and comprisesattachment means for attachment of a lid.
 6. The container of claim 2,wherein the top portion of the upper module comprises an opening.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 2, wherein the attachment means of the base, internaland upper module is selected from screw threads, a portion that is of ashape or size to permit a friction fit, and a portion adapted to snaptogether with another module comprising co-operating flanges.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 2, wherein the modules are made of a materialselected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum andother metals, wood, plastics, composite materials, and combinations ofany of these materials.
 9. The container of claim 2, further comprisinga removable insert which fits inside the container and which functionsto contain contents within the container.
 10. The container of claim 9,further comprising a pedestal which removably fits onto the bottom ofthe insert, wherein said pedestal comprises a base and an upper wallextending upwardly from the base that fits onto the bottom of the insertand a lower wall extending downwardly from the base that elevates saidinsert within the container.
 11. The container of claim 10, comprisingmultiple stacked inserts.
 12. The container of claim 2, comprisingmultiple overlay rings.
 13. The container of claim 1, wherein theoverlay ring includes at least one of colour, texture, design, text,symbols and images.
 14. The container of claim 12, wherein multipleoverlay rings are stacked on one or more of said modules.
 15. An articleof manufacture comprising packaging and one or modules to form a modularcontainer selected from the group consisting of a base module, aninternal module and an upper module, wherein said base module comprisesa closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the top portion of thebase module comprising means to removably attach another module, theinternal module comprises open top and bottom portions each of whichcomprise means to removably attach to another module, and the uppermodule comprises an open bottom portion comprising means to removablyattach to another module and a top portion comprising means to accessthe contents of the container, wherein the packaging indicates that themodules how the modules may be connected to form a container.
 16. Anarticle of manufacture comprising packaging and one or more overlayrings adapted to fit onto a container, said overlay rings comprising atleast one of colour, texture, design, text, symbols and images.
 17. Amethod of making a modular container as defined in claim 1 comprisingthe steps of: i) providing a base module, an upper module and optionallyone or more internal modules, wherein said base module comprises aclosed bottom portion and an open top portion, the top portion of thebase module comprising attachment means to removably attach the basemodule to another module, said upper module comprising an open bottomportion comprising attachment means to removably attach to anothermodule and a top portion comprising means to access the contents of thecontainer, and said internal module comprising open top and bottomportions each of which comprise means to removably attach to anothermodule; ii) optionally connecting the base module to one or moreinternal modules by connecting the attachment means of the top portionof the base module to the attachment means of the bottom portion of theinternal module, and connecting the attachment means of the top portionof the internal module to the attachment means of the bottom portion ofany subsequent internal modules; and iii) connecting the attachmentmeans of the top portion of the base module or internal module to theattachment means of the bottom portion of the upper module.